Dussehra and Diwali—the twin festivals that illuminate India's autumn—offer some of the most spectacular cultural experiences on the planet. Traveling to special destinations during festival season is a bucket-list experience. Book your festival travel with reliable transportation.
Why Festival Travel?
- Cultural Immersion: Experiencing Diwali in Varanasi or Dussehra in Kullu is fundamentally different from celebrating at home
- Spectacular Celebrations: Lakhs of diyas, massive Ravan effigies, ancient rituals at unprecedented scale
- Perfect Weather: October-November offers North India's best weather—pleasant days, cool nights, clear skies
- Authentic Experiences: Crowds are often local rather than tourist, offering genuine cultural immersion
Dussehra Destinations
1. Kullu Dussehra (Himachal Pradesh)
Dates 2026: October 2-9 (approximately) | Uniqueness: 7-day festival, unlike 1-day elsewhere
What Makes It Special:
- Over 200 village deities gather in Kullu
- International Dussehra, UNESCO heritage
- Procession of Raghunath Ji deity
- Folk dances, music, cultural programs
- No Ravan burning—focuses on deity worship
Itinerary (4 Days): Delhi to Kullu (500 km), main Dussehra procession, valley exploration, return. Combine with Manali trip.
Transport: SUV or Tempo | From Delhi: ₹24,000-32,000 (round trip, 4 days)
2. Mysore Dussehra (Karnataka)
Dates 2026: September 27 - October 6 | Uniqueness: Royal heritage celebration
Features 100,000 bulb illumination of Mysore Palace, royal procession with decorated elephants, and the famous Jamboo Savari golden howdah procession.
From Delhi: Fly to Bangalore, drive to Mysore (140 km)
3. Delhi Dussehra
At Ramlila Maidan: Largest Ravan effigies (100+ feet) | At Red Fort: Traditional celebration attended by dignitaries
Multiple Ramlila grounds across the city make it convenient for visitors. Explore with our Delhi sightseeing packages.
Diwali Destinations
1. Varanasi Diwali (Dev Deepawali)
Date 2026: November 15 (Dev Deepawali, 15 days after Diwali) | Uniqueness: A million diyas on 84 ghats
Why Most Spectacular:
- Dev Deepawali (Gods' Diwali) celebrated on Kartik Purnima
- All 84 ghats illuminated with earthen lamps
- Ganga Aarti on unprecedented scale
- Fireworks over the river
- Boat rides through lamp-lit ghats
Regular Diwali (November 1, 2026): Also magnificent—temples decorated, ghats lit, evening aarti special
Book our Varanasi spiritual tour for festival season.
Itinerary (3 Days): Delhi to Varanasi (800 km drive or flight + car), ghat visits and Dev Deepawali celebration, morning boat ride and return
Transport: Sedan or SUV | From Delhi by Road: ₹22,000-28,000 (3-4 days)
2. Jaipur Diwali
Why Special: Nahargarh Fort illumination, City Palace celebrations, Johari Bazaar transforms into light wonderland, Pink City glows golden
Combined Trip: Jaipur (2 nights) + Pushkar (1 night for Kartik Purnima mela)
Experience with our Jaipur sightseeing tour.
3. Amritsar Diwali (Bandi Chhor Divas)
Why Special:
- Golden Temple illuminated spectacularly
- Fireworks at Harmandir Sahib
- Sikh festival of liberation
- Combined Hindu-Sikh celebration
- Langar feeds hundreds of thousands
From Delhi: 450 km, ideal weekend trip. Book our Amritsar Golden Temple tour.
4. Ayodhya Diwali
Why Special: Birthplace of Lord Ram, Saryu River aarti, city-wide lamp lighting. Growing as major Diwali destination especially after Ram Mandir inauguration.
Festival Travel Planning
Book in Advance
What Gets Booked Out: Hotels in Varanasi (Dev Deepawali weekend), Kullu hotels during Dussehra week, transportation for long weekends, flight prices spike 2x-3x
Booking Timeline:
- 2 months ahead: Flights, premium hotels
- 1 month ahead: Transport, mid-range stays
- 2 weeks ahead: Last-minute may still find options
Expect Crowds
Reality Check: Festival destinations are CROWDED with traffic jams, parking issues, and long queues. But this is part of the experience!
Strategy: Arrive early at major events, use local guides who know shortcuts, accept slower pace, join the celebration!
What to Pack
- Traditional Indian clothes (fitting in enhances experience)
- Comfortable footwear (lots of walking)
- Light jacket (October-November evenings cool)
- Camera with good low-light capability
- Power bank and cash (small vendors, donations)
Transportation During Festivals
Why Book Dedicated Transport?
Public transport challenges: Trains fully booked months ahead, buses uncomfortable during peak, local taxis unavailable or overpriced, no flexibility for event timing
Our festival packages include: Vehicle waits while you celebrate, early morning/late night flexibility, multiple location visits, safe return after fireworks
Festival Season Pricing
Note: Festival weeks see 15-25% premium on regular rates due to demand. Book early to lock in rates.
Varanasi Dev Deepawali (3 Days):
| Vehicle | Regular | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | ₹22,000 | ₹26,000 |
| SUV | ₹28,000 | ₹33,000 |
Kullu Dussehra (4 Days):
| Vehicle | Regular | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | ₹26,000 | ₹30,000 |
| SUV | ₹32,000 | ₹38,000 |
| Tempo 12-seater | ₹45,000 | ₹52,000 |
Jaipur Diwali (3 Days):
| Vehicle | Regular | Festival |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | ₹16,000 | ₹19,000 |
| SUV | ₹21,000 | ₹25,000 |
For large groups, our tempo traveller service is ideal.
Safety Tips for Festival Travel
Fireworks Safety
Keep safe distance from crackers, protect ears (crowds + fireworks = loud), watch for falling debris, keep children close.
Crowd Management
Establish meeting points if separated, keep phone charged, avoid carrying valuables, follow local instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is festival travel worth the crowds?
Absolutely! The energy, colors, and experiences during festivals are incomparable. The crowds are part of the celebration atmosphere.
Can I do Diwali and Dussehra both in one trip?
They're 20 days apart. You could do an extended trip covering both, or choose one for a deeper experience.
Are children safe during festival crowds?
Yes, with precautions. Carry children if young, hold hands constantly, and avoid the most crowded moments.
Book Your Festival Journey
Experience India's grandest celebrations with reliable transportation. Our drivers know the routes, parking spots, and best viewing points.
Call: 7668570551 | WhatsApp: 7668570551
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